1
as in totals
a complete amount of something
the sum of human knowledge on that subject
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in summaries
a short statement of the main points
the district attorney delivered a sum of the evidence against the accused that was simply staggering
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in heights
the highest part or point
he declared that he had reached the sum of joy when his newborn daughter was laid in his arms
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in roots
the central part or aspect of something under consideration
the sum of the issue is: who will pay for this?
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in adds
to combine (numbers) into a single sum
can sum figures in his head faster than I can punch them into a calculator
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sums
James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
According to investigators, customers paid large sums upfront but were later given false updates or no information at all about the status of their cars.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Standard deduction limits increased this year, allowing filers to shield larger sums from taxes.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 28 Jan. 2026
Anticipating that fiscal 2027 would be a tight budget year, Gorzkowicz and lawmakers took steps that freed up significant sums of cash to be put into general purpose use in this budget.
—State House News Service, Boston Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
His organization has shelled out over $1 billion in aid to Ukraine, as well as large sums for agricultural development in Africa, and Central and South America.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
Big tech firms, including Meta, OpenAI, Oracle, AWS, Microsoft and Google are investing huge sums into developing facilities across the globe.
—Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026
Meta, Microsoft and Apple have also pledged undisclosed sums toward the $400 million ballroom project.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Those sums are both down more than 30% from the period prior, but a relative lack of competition creates an environment where the two sets can become top performers once more.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Meg Walters, InStyle, 28 Jan. 2026
Parents sat down with Avatar star and Academy Award-winner, Zoe Saldaña, who sums the film up beautifully.
—Katie Grant, Parents, 16 Dec. 2025
Still, according to the investigative media outlet Mongabay, Petroperú has accumulated nearly $100 million in penalties for environmental damage across the country — sums the highly indebted state-company is not likely to be able to pay in the foreseeable future.
—Sabrina Weiss, The Dial, 23 Sep. 2025
Dobbins’ impact for the Broncos can be measured in several ways, but one stat maybe sums it up as well as any.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
Spence’s post on social media after Spurs’ victory over Man City at the Etihad perfectly sums him up.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
There were enormous sums of money on the line in each vote referenced in the criminal complaint.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
According to investigators, customers paid large sums upfront but were later given false updates or no information at all about the status of their cars.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Standard deduction limits increased this year, allowing filers to shield larger sums from taxes.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 28 Jan. 2026
Anticipating that fiscal 2027 would be a tight budget year, Gorzkowicz and lawmakers took steps that freed up significant sums of cash to be put into general purpose use in this budget.
—State House News Service, Boston Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
His organization has shelled out over $1 billion in aid to Ukraine, as well as large sums for agricultural development in Africa, and Central and South America.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
Big tech firms, including Meta, OpenAI, Oracle, AWS, Microsoft and Google are investing huge sums into developing facilities across the globe.
—Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026
Meta, Microsoft and Apple have also pledged undisclosed sums toward the $400 million ballroom project.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
Those sums are both down more than 30% from the period prior, but a relative lack of competition creates an environment where the two sets can become top performers once more.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
Fennell's version of the book promises to lean into the madness and passion of Cathy and Heathcliffe's doomed love—and this quote kind of sums it up.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 28 Jan. 2026
Parents sat down with Avatar star and Academy Award-winner, Zoe Saldaña, who sums the film up beautifully.
—Katie Grant, Parents, 16 Dec. 2025
Still, according to the investigative media outlet Mongabay, Petroperú has accumulated nearly $100 million in penalties for environmental damage across the country — sums the highly indebted state-company is not likely to be able to pay in the foreseeable future.
—Sabrina Weiss, The Dial, 23 Sep. 2025
Dobbins’ impact for the Broncos can be measured in several ways, but one stat maybe sums it up as well as any.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
Spence’s post on social media after Spurs’ victory over Man City at the Etihad perfectly sums him up.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sums
Noun
-
Although parts of eastern Oklahoma saw several inches of snow Friday night, the totals were less than the most generous predictions that were made over the past few days.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Areas east of the I-35 corridor and parts of Northwest Texas recorded widespread snowfall totals of 6 to 8 inches, while DFW Airport measured 5 inches, its highest single-event snowfall in more than a decade.—
Sergio Candido,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Set the tone with summaries and kind boundaries.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The story summaries above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in the Miami Herald newsroom.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Daytime temperatures are also forecast to return to more seasonable heights pretty quickly, with a high of 55 degrees by Monday.—
Julia James,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The electrified setup packs a 771-hp punch and could elevate the GT to even greater heights.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Freed from some of the commercial pressures, creators are going back to their roots and getting weird, and perhaps building the foundation of the future of immersive content.—
Cortney Harding,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
John Rambo takes audiences back, years before the events of First Blood, diving deep into the roots and experiences that forged one of the big screen’s most enduring and complex characters.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Cooking with whole spices adds a complex, alluring flavor that permeates both the rice and the meatballs.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
According to scientific research, many mushrooms have stress-relieving, adaptogenic qualities that may help the mind and body handle daily pressures more effectively, Goodwin adds.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Only Spain misses out on the centerline, but long totalities are still possible there — up to 4 minutes, 40 seconds.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The agreement’s outlines remain unclear, but potentially involve rights to Greenland’s minerals and increased NATO presence.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
After the stencil was created, it was changed to deliberately narrow the negative outlines of the fingers.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Whether you’re getting dressed for work, going out to eat, or simply picking casual pieces for everyday outfits, long-sleeve tops are a wardrobe staple for colder seasons.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The women’s collection has a total of 27 pieces, spanning jeans, shorts, tops, tees, sweatshirts, sweatpants, catsuits and overalls.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sums.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sums. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
